US8419078B2 - Method and apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US8419078B2 US8419078B2 US13/134,827 US201113134827A US8419078B2 US 8419078 B2 US8419078 B2 US 8419078B2 US 201113134827 A US201113134827 A US 201113134827A US 8419078 B2 US8419078 B2 US 8419078B2
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wire mesh
- radiant heat
- tying
- heat tubing
- tubing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active - Reinstated
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
- F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
- F24D3/12—Tube and panel arrangements for ceiling, wall, or underfloor heating
- F24D3/14—Tube and panel arrangements for ceiling, wall, or underfloor heating incorporated in a ceiling, wall or floor
- F24D3/149—Tube-laying devices
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04G21/00—Preparing, conveying, or working-up building materials or building elements in situ; Other devices or measures for constructional work
- E04G21/12—Mounting of reinforcing inserts; Prestressing
- E04G21/122—Machines for joining reinforcing bars
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
Definitions
- This invention generally pertains to the effective tying of radiant heating tubing to a wire mesh that is usually found in heated cement slabs, such as that found in heated driveways and floors that have radiant heat.
- this invention is a tool that enables the operator to secure a commonly used plastic hose employed in hydronic heating systems to a wire mesh.
- This tool is powered by a conventional battery powered drill at one end of its adjustable length housing that rotates a shaft that is supported by bearings to the head of the tool where the tying takes place. The operator of the tool remains in a standing position as a preformed plastic coil is fed out of the head of the tool where the tying occurs, wrapping itself around both the radiant tubing and a wire, part of the wire mesh.
- the operator stops the drill and activates the cutter at the head of the tool, thereby releasing the preformed plastic coil in its wrapped position.
- radiant tubing In hydronic heating systems, such as those commonly used in heated driveways and heated flooring in homes, radiant tubing is used to propel heated water from a pump through the system and back again to be reheated.
- radiant tubing is a polyethylene material, known as PEX plastic hose.
- the radiant tubing is securely mounted to a wire mesh raised above the final grade under the cement slab to about two inches below the cement surface.
- the heat is exchanged from the radiant tubing to the surrounding cement to provide heat to melt ice and snow from driveways as well as to provide heat for homes.
- the radiant hose is set on the wire mesh using a layout plan designed to provide the most effective heating pattern for the job at hand.
- the radiant hose is normally secured to the mesh by two common methods.
- One method is to use wire ties.
- the installer of the radiant hose has to bend down or squat to place the wire tie in place and twist the tie with a tool for that purpose.
- the wire ties are placed around the radiant tubing and a wire part of the wire mesh every two feet, approximately.
- a multi-thousand square foot project could require bending or squatting thousands of times to install the ties. This could easily lead to back and knee problems. It is also difficult to tell when the wire ties are twisted too tightly.
- the ties will reduce the diameter of the radiant tubing, and a number of overly tightened ties will effectively reduce the overall effectiveness of the entire system.
- the ties are prone to rust which could create sharp spots or edges that could eventually erode the plastic radiant tubing.
- the ends of the wire ties are sharp and if inadvertently the ends puncture the radiant tubing and not discovered before the cement is poured, it can be difficult to pinpoint the leak.
- wire ties can be difficult to install when the weather is cold and the installers fingers have reduced dexterity.
- the cable tie Once the cable tie is secured, its long end has to be cut off, otherwise that end may protrude through the surface of the cement when it is poured. Further, the long ends have to be disposed of to prevent these ends from floating in the wet concrete causing imperfections on the surface of the concrete. In cold weather, the reduced dexterity of the installer's fingers and the wearing of gloves further reduce installation time.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 2,491,582, issued to Reid is a tool, ratchet wrench operated, to tighten and tie cement forms for rigidity when pouring cement.
- This invention is not applicable to securing radiant tubing to a wire mesh.
- the tightening force of this tool would surely crush radiant tubing.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 3,880,294, issued to Sarff is a hand held electric motor powered tool for feeding and twisting wire ties to rebar. The force this tool uses would crush radiant tubing.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,192, issued to Furlong is a hand held electric motor powered tool for binding concrete-reinforcing bars with wire ties.
- This invention is also not suited to securing radiant tubing to a wire mesh because of the high forces this tool employs when twisting wire ties to secure concrete-reinforcing bars.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,660, issued to Conrad is an electric drill powered tool to rapidly twist-tie wire ceiling hangars. Here too, the twisting force would be too great for the radiant tubing.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,530, issued to Kincel is a hand held electric motor powered twist tie or wire twister. Although this invention does not exert the tightening force intended for rebar tying, it is possible to exert too much force on wire ties, running the risk of crushing the radiant tubing.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,946, issued to Pellenc is a hand held electric motor powered tool for binding and tying shrubbery, tree branches, and vines. Although not as forceful as ties for rebar, this tool has the capacity to over tighten radiant tubing.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,506, issued to Peters is a hand held electric motor powered tool for forming and installing wire ties to join rebar segments. This tool is too forceful for radiant tubing in that the radiant tubing would be crushed with its application.
- a U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,570 B1 issued to Spikes is an electric drill powered wire twisting device to secure fence wire or barbed wire to a fence structure. This tool would apply too much pressure to radiant tubing.
- a tool is needed that can be put in position at the place to be tied, and instantly feed and tie the binding material around the radiant tubing and wire mesh.
- This tool should allow an installer to work in a standing position to eliminate the stresses that accompany bending and squatting. The elimination of bending and squatting will greatly speed the time required to attach the radiant tubing to the wire mesh.
- This tool should eliminate any concerns that the binding material could possibly be placed too tightly around the radiant tubing and therefore compress its diameter. This tool should quickly separate from the binding material to move on to the next position to be bound.
- An object of this invention is to allow an installer of binding material to remain in a standing position when binding or tying radiant tubing to a wire mesh. Another object of this invention is to greatly speed up the entire process of binding radiant tubing to wire mesh. A further object of this invention is to prevent the inadvertent over-tightening of the binding material that could possibly reduce the diameter of the radiant tubing, constricting the flow of the heating medium. A further object of this invention is to provide the ability for the installation tool to use binding material that will not rust or corrode or possess sharp edges that could contribute to puncturing the radiant tubing. Still further, an object of this invention is to operate easily in cold weather, thereby eliminating dexterity problems in cold hands and fingers and the clumsiness associated with wearing gloves.
- This invention consists of a long, telescoping housing, that can be adjusted in length to meet the height needs of the person installing binding material to secure radiant tubing to a wire mesh. This allows the installer to assume the most comfortable standing position during the installation.
- an attachment means for mounting a portable battery powered drill At the top of the adjustable housing is an attachment means for mounting a portable battery powered drill.
- the rotational axis of the drill is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the adjustable housing, allowing the drill chuck to attach to an adjustable length drive shaft and to rotate the drive shaft when the drill trigger is depressed.
- a drive mechanism housing At the end of the adjustable housing, opposite the end where the drill is mounted, is a drive mechanism housing.
- the drive shaft is coupled to a cylindrical rubber surfaced drive roller supported by bearings fixed in the drive mechanism housing to allow the drive roller to rotate as the drive shaft rotates.
- an idler cylindrical rubber surfaced roller In close proximity with the drive roller is an idler cylindrical rubber surfaced roller supported by bearings fixed in the drive mechanism housing.
- This idler cylindrical rubber surfaced roller has a rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the drive wheel in the same two dimensional plane.
- the space between the idler roller and the drive roller is such that the thickness of preformed plastic coil binding (the kind conventionally used in binding notebooks and widely available) would be tightly held between the rubber surfaces of both the idler roller and the drive roller. Rotation of the drive roller would advance the preformed plastic coil binding in a direction away from the plane of the axes of the idler and drive rollers.
- the preformed plastic coil binding is inserted on a long rod, mounted alongside the adjustable housing, and fed into the drive mechanism housing.
- Advancing the rollers feeds the plastic coil end into a funnel shaped enclosure which terminates as a slightly curved feed tube that guides the tip of the plastic coil end right at the spot where further advancement of the plastic coil will curve itself into a coiled configuration around the radiant tubing and wire mesh where they intersect each other.
- a slot exists for the passage of a cutting blade, when actuated, cuts the plastic coil loose, leaving a new plastic tip in the funnel enclosure, guiding that tip through the slightly curved feed tube, ready to bind the next length of radiant tubing to the wire mesh.
- This process of binding eliminates all the bending, squatting, mechanical tying and cutting, making for a swift procedure without the fear of over-tightening the bind.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing the separation of the adjustable telescoping housing and the telescoping drive shaft.
- FIG. 2 is a view of the assembled apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh.
- FIG. 3 is an edge view of the drive mechanism housing showing the drive roller and idler roller in the engaged position to project the preformed plastic coil binding between said rollers.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the drive mechanism housing with the cover removed to show the drive and idler rollers in the engaged position.
- FIG. 5 is an edge view of the drive mechanism housing showing the release lever raised to disengage the drive and idler rollers to allow the installer to insert the end of the preformed plastic coil binding between the drive and idler rollers.
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the drive mechanism housing with the cover removed to show the drive and idler rollers in the disengaged position.
- FIG. 1 shows the main body of the invention, an adjustable telescoping housing 10 that contains an adjustable telescoping drive shaft 20 supported at one end by a bearing 30 and a shaft lock bushing 40 .
- FIG. 2 shows the adjustable telescoping housing assembly 10 in its operational position and secured by spring loaded adjustment button 130 .
- At one end of the housing assembly 10 is an adjustable bracket 50 with an adjustment knob 60 allowing for positioning of the drive motor rest shoe 70 , at which end is an attached hook and loop fastener strap 80 to secure the battery powered drill 90 to the drive motor rest shoe 70 .
- the chuck of drill 90 engages the telescoping drive shaft 20 .
- a drive mechanism housing 160 At the other end of the housing assembly 10 is mounted a drive mechanism housing 160 , with an attached plastic coil feed guide 100 .
- the preformed plastic coil binding 120 is slipped over the plastic coil feed guide 100 , which is then secured at its other end by a plastic coil feed guide clamp 110 .
- a cutter blade cable 140 At the opposing side of the housing assembly 10 is a cutter blade cable 140 that actuates cutter blade 170 when the cutter blade lever 150 is pressed. Cutter blade 170 rotates on cutter blade pivot 180 .
- a cutter blade return spring 190 secured by a spring attach screw 200 , returns the cutter blade 170 to its resting position.
- the drive and idler roller shafts 210 protrude out the end of the drive mechanism housing 160 .
- plastic coil feed tube 220 protruding out of the drive mechanism housing 160 is plastic coil feed tube 220 , through which the preformed plastic coil binding 120 exits. As the preformed plastic coil binding 120 exits, it resumes its coiled configuration as it encircles the plastic radiant tubing and the wire mesh.
- FIG. 3 shows an edge view of the drive mechanism housing 160 with the ends of the driver roller shaft 340 and idler roller shaft 310 exposed.
- the shafts are supported by bearings 260 .
- Drive roller 230 is in close engagement with idler roller 240 .
- the pivot slot 290 is shown by a dotted outline which allows idler roller shaft 240 to slide back and forth in the pivot slot 290 .
- Bearing 260 has opposing flat surfaces to prevent bearing 260 from rotating in the pivot slot 290 .
- Release lever 320 is in its closed position secured by spring loaded button 330 .
- the release lever 320 is attached to the drive mechanism housing 160 by hinge pin 280 .
- Plastic coil feed tube 220 is shown in position on the drive mechanism housing 160 .
- FIG. 4 shows a side view of the drive mechanism housing 160 with drive roller 230 in a close or engaged position with idler roller 240 .
- Spacer bushings 270 hold drive roller 230 and idler roller 240 in position.
- Telescoping drive shaft 20 is shown attached to the drive roller 230 shaft by shaft coupler 250 .
- FIG. 5 is an edge view of the drive mechanism housing 160 showing the release lever 320 raised to disengage or move away from the drive roller 230 and the idler roller 240 to allow the installer to insert the end of the preformed plastic coil binding 120 between the drive roller 230 and the idler roller 240 .
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the drive mechanism housing 160 with the cover removed to show the drive roller 230 and the idler roller 240 in the disengaged position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/134,827 US8419078B2 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2011-06-17 | Method and apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/134,827 US8419078B2 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2011-06-17 | Method and apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20120319402A1 US20120319402A1 (en) | 2012-12-20 |
US8419078B2 true US8419078B2 (en) | 2013-04-16 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/134,827 Active - Reinstated US8419078B2 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2011-06-17 | Method and apparatus for tying radiant heat tubing to wire mesh |
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Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3827108A (en) * | 1973-04-20 | 1974-08-06 | V Jewett | Necktie holding method and combination |
US4413660A (en) * | 1981-09-21 | 1983-11-08 | Conrad James R | Apparatus for twist-tying ceiling hangers from joists |
US5004020A (en) * | 1988-01-21 | 1991-04-02 | Newtech Products, Inc. | Wire twisting apparatus |
US5927059A (en) * | 1997-07-02 | 1999-07-27 | Goertz; Leroy W. | Method and apparatus for creating coiled craft stock |
US6033423A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 2000-03-07 | Target Therapeutics, Inc. | Multiple layered vaso-occlusive coils |
US6128882A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 2000-10-10 | Ironbar Pty Ltd | Tie for reinforcing bars |
US6606765B2 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-08-19 | Ben C. Edmondson | Coiled tie-down devices |
-
2011
- 2011-06-17 US US13/134,827 patent/US8419078B2/en active Active - Reinstated
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3827108A (en) * | 1973-04-20 | 1974-08-06 | V Jewett | Necktie holding method and combination |
US4413660A (en) * | 1981-09-21 | 1983-11-08 | Conrad James R | Apparatus for twist-tying ceiling hangers from joists |
US5004020A (en) * | 1988-01-21 | 1991-04-02 | Newtech Products, Inc. | Wire twisting apparatus |
US6128882A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 2000-10-10 | Ironbar Pty Ltd | Tie for reinforcing bars |
US6033423A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 2000-03-07 | Target Therapeutics, Inc. | Multiple layered vaso-occlusive coils |
US5927059A (en) * | 1997-07-02 | 1999-07-27 | Goertz; Leroy W. | Method and apparatus for creating coiled craft stock |
US6606765B2 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-08-19 | Ben C. Edmondson | Coiled tie-down devices |
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US20120319402A1 (en) | 2012-12-20 |
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